Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

Last week, I raised with the Taoiseach the case of the strategic litigation against, and bullying of, Ballyboden Tidy Towns group by the developer Ardstone. He responded that no one should ever intimidate a Tidy Towns committee. I agree but it is clear that Ardstone does not. In response to our interaction here, its representatives wrote another letter to the Ballyboden Tidy Towns group. It stated the group has continued to brief against their client, Ardstone, referring to what I said in the Dáil and calling for an undertaking not to defame Ardstone to any person, media body, Deputy or other entity at any future time. It is clear that what is taking place is precisely bullying and threatening behaviour to get the group to back down from standing for sustainable planning.

This is not the only case. Councillor Dean Mulligan in Swords brought to my attention a similar one. It concerns MKN Property Group, which relies on McCann FitzGerald for a judicial review, but rely on AMOSS Solicitors in respect of correspondence that threatens a group of residents, the South Swords Residents Group, with legal action, again to prevent public participation. This seems to be widespread. What will be done to prevent this from happening?

See this speech in context